A complex system of paths creates surprise (5)
I believe the answer is:
amaze
'surprise' is the definition.
(amazing is a kind of surprising)
'a complex system of paths' is the wordplay.
'complex system of paths' becomes 'maze'.
'a'+'maze'='AMAZE'
'creates' is the link.
(Other definitions for amaze that I've seen before include "Startle" , "Stun" , "Greatly surprise, astound" , "Confound with wonder" , "Greatly surprise in a labyrinth" .)